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Brookside Glen Hit by Senior Scam

It has come to my attention that Brookside Glen residents in the 8000 block of Brookside Glen Drive fell victim to a Senior Scam this past Tuesday. The south suburbs have had several of these incidents in the last few months.

According to the Illinois State Police website, and commonly referred to as Imposter Burglary;

• Suspect(s) will pretend to be legitimate worker(s) and approach senior citizen home owners at their residences with a seemingly legitimate ruse. Their real purpose is to divert the homeowner while their accomplices search for currency and jewelry.



• Some of the more frequently used ploys by the suspects are: indicating they are from the local gas/electric company; posing as a water department employee to inspect the water pipes and/or to replace the water meter; a request to use the bathroom; a cable TV company employee; roofing/gutter repair and paving company contractor; city inspector(s), surveyor(s), and tree trimmer(s); or government personnel from a social service agency.



• Many of the impostor burglars now have bogus photo identification cards, legitimate looking work uniforms, and vehicles made to look like government or company vehicles. They may also communicate with hand-held radios or cell phones.



• Women and children may also accompany male suspects and participate in the diversion of the homeowner.



• The suspects may offer a partial rebate by giving the victim a $100 bill and a request for change. This allows the suspect(s) to determine where the victim keeps their money. The victim is distracted either inside the house by turning a light switch on and off, knocking on water pipes, etc.; or showing the victim damage outside of the home, determining property lines, etc. Once the victim is distracted, the unseen suspects enter the home and remove the money and jewelry. In some cases, the suspects have also removed safes from the home.

Violence
While many of these offenses are only distraction theft/burglaries, an increasing pattern of violence is emerging. Most of the violence occurs when the victim becomes aware of the distraction and tries to prevent the criminals from taking his/her valuables. In these cases, the victim is overpowered with force by the suspects; the offense then turns into an assault and robbery. In the last few years, an increasing number of offenders have begun using violence in lieu of distraction as their method of operation.

Another common scam is Home Invasion Burglary

• The burglary team usually consists of two to four people. In many cases, a male will drive three females to the targeted area. The male driver either cruises the neighborhood or parks away from the targeted area.



• The female suspects will roam the neighborhood looking to approach senior citizens while working in their yards.



• One suspect will distract the homeowner by asking any number of questions. The second suspect will then go into the unlocked residence and steal cash and/or jewelry.



• Suspects will sometimes knock or ring the door bell. The suspects will pretend to be ill; ask for a drink of water; ask if the house is for sale; ask about previous owner(s); pretend to be looking for a lost pet; or any excuse to get inside the home.



• If confronted by the homeowner, the burglary team will use any type of simple distraction, e.g., need a drink of water; use of phone or bathroom; looking for a lost pet or rental property; and sale of tablecloths, etc.



• Theft of cash, jewelry, or silver occurs with no ransacking. Several days or weeks can pass before the homeowner realizes she/he has been the victim of a burglary. The suspects are careful to put everything back in its place.

Keep your doors locked when you go out, even if you are simply outside working on the garden, cutting grass, etc. These scumbags are out there and they have targeted us.

Don't let embarrassment prevent you from reporting criminal activity. The con-artist relies on their victims being reluctant to admit they have been scammed.

If you have been a victim or know someone who has been victimized, please report the incident immediately to the Tinley Park Police at (708) 531-9111.

These scams are just a few of the numerous frauds perpetrated annually. Each year thousands of victims lose millions of dollars from these scams in Illinois. The deception list continues to grow each year, making scams, their victims, and the exact dollar amount almost impossible to track. Anyone can become the victim. People of all ages, educational levels, and incomes fall victim to scams daily.

Gathering and sharing of information is vital, especially when you are dealing with these transient, criminal suspects, and the thefts, scams, and frauds they perpetrate.

Call Tinley Park Police at (708) 531-9111

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